A day out at the races
Getting there, what to wear, the enclosures and where to eat, course by course.
Racecourse guides
Irish Racecourses A to Z
There are 24 racecourses in the Republic of Ireland: 12 in Leinster, 8 in Munster and 4 in Connacht. Each has its own guide, from Curragh and Leopardstown to Galway.
Down Royal and Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland, are in our UK racecourse guides.
By province
12Leinster
4Connacht
Flat or jumps
- 4 jumps only, such as Punchestown and Thurles
- 3 flat only, such as Curragh and Dundalk
- 17 flat and jumps, such as Leopardstown and Fairyhouse
Map of Irish racecourses
FlatJumpsFlat & jumps1 racing today
Hover a pin for its facts · click for the course · double-click or +/- to zoom
List of all 24 Irish racecourses
24 of 24 racecourses
BallinrobeFlat & jumpsBallinrobe, Co. Mayo
BellewstownFlat & jumpsBellewstown, Co. Meath- ClonmelFlat & jumpsClonmel, Co. Tipperary3,500
CorkFlat & jumpsMallow, Co. Cork
CurraghFlatNewbridge, Co. Kildare
DundalkFlatDundalk, Co. Louth
FairyhouseFlat & jumpsRatoath, Co. Meath12:30 first race today, Fairyhouse racecard
GalwayFlat & jumpsBallybrit, Co. Galway
Gowran ParkFlat & jumpsGowran, Co. Kilkenny
KilbegganJumpsKilbeggan, Co. Westmeath
Racing today and tomorrow
Today
All racecardsTomorrow
All racecardsBig races coming up
Sat 14 to Sun 15 NovNavan Racing FestivalNavanIn 4 days- Sat 28 to Sun 29 NovFairyhouse Winter FestivalFairyhouseIn 18 days
Where the big races live
Homes of the big races
The courses behind the races everyone knows, each with its own guide.
- Home of the Irish Derby (Irish Derby Festival)Curragh
Home of the Irish Champion Stakes (Irish Champions Festival) and the Dublin Racing FestivalLeopardstown- Home of the Irish Grand NationalFairyhouse
Home of the The Punchestown Festival (Punchestown Gold Cup)Punchestown- Home of the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)Naas
- Home of the Cork Grand National (Handicap Chase) / Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2)Cork
- Home of the The Galway Races Festival (Galway Plate & Galway Hurdle)Galway
- Home of the Diamond Stakes (Group 3)Dundalk
Plan your day
Guides for every kind of raceday
Our course guides, grouped by what you are planning.
Family and holiday racedays
Boxing Day, bank holidays and the family days.
Big-race winners
Every winner of the races that define each course.
Betting at the course
How each track rides, the draw, trainers to note and the market on the day.
New to racing
First time at the races?
The four things people ask before their first raceday.
What to wear
Smart casual works almost everywhere, with shoes you can stand in on grass all day and a coat for the weather. The top enclosures at the biggest meetings set their own rules.
Tickets and enclosures
Most courses sell two or three enclosures at different prices; the dearer ones are closer to the parade ring and the winning post. Booking ahead is often cheaper than paying on the gate.
Each course's day-out guide has its enclosures.
Getting there
Every course guide names the nearest station and the roads in. On the big days trains and car parks fill early, so leave more time than you think you need.
Having a bet
You can bet with the bookmakers in the betting ring, on the Tote, or on your phone. Set a budget before you go and stick to it.
18+. Gamble responsibly · BeGambleAware.org
Questions
Irish racecourses: your questions
How many racecourses are there in Ireland?
There are 24 in the Republic of Ireland: 12 in Leinster, 8 in Munster and 4 in Connacht. Down Royal and Downpatrick in Northern Ireland make 26 on the island; they are in our UK guides.
Which Irish racecourses only race over jumps?
4 of them, including Punchestown, Thurles, Wexford and Kilbeggan. Jumps racing runs mainly from October to April.
Where is racing in Ireland today?
Today: Fairyhouse. All of today's racecards.
What should I wear to the races?
Smart casual is right almost everywhere; the top enclosures at the biggest meetings have stricter rules. More on what to wear.
Every course
Irish racecourses A to Z
Photos on this page are used under Creative Commons licences. Titles, sources and licence links for each one are on our image credits page.